HP to charge ₹10 consultation fee from patients in govt hospitals

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh govt has decided to charge a consultation fee of Rs 10 from all patients at the time of registration in govt hospitals across the state.

In a step to strengthen the Rogi Kalyan Samitis across the state, the govt, on the recommendations of the cabinet sub-committee, has authorised Rogi Kalyan Samitis to levy user charges on a need basis.

This decision was made to improve the services undertaken by Rogi Kalyan Samitis, including sanitation, hygiene, and maintenance of infrastructure and equipment.

The govt's decision to charge Rs 10 as a consultation fee from patients has come under criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party in the state.

Former chief minister and the leader of the opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, said on Wednesday that there is nothing left on earth that the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress govt has not taxed. "When the central govt is providing free testing and treatment, why is the Sukhu govt taking it away?" questioned Thakur.

The journey of this fee-imposing govt, which started with toilet tax, has now reached taxing the toilets and washrooms of hospitalised patients, quipped the leader of the opposition.

The Sukhu govt has ordered the collection of money from every sick person who reaches the hospital for treatment in an emergency or helpless condition, he stated, adding that the govt must revoke this order at the earliest.